ANNUAL REPORT 2012 – 2013 CONTENTS About Equestrian Australia 5 EquEStRiAn AuStRAliA diSCiplinE REpORtS Chairman’s report 6-7 Carriage driving 27 Chief Executive Officer’s report 8-9 dressage (including para-Equestrian) 29 Australian Sports Commission welcome 11 Eventing 31 Report card 12-14 Jumping 33 World Cup Jumping 35 EquEStRiAn AuStRAliA dEpARtmEnt REpORtS Vaulting 37 High performance 16-17 Show Horse 39 Education 18-19 national Coaching Accreditation Scheme 40 participation and development 20-21 Commercial and communications 22-23 EquEStRiAn AuStRAliA StAtE REpORtS new South Wales 44 northern territory 45 queensland 46 South Australia 47 Victoria 48 tasmania 49 Western Australia 50 FinAnCiAl REpORtS 52-76 Edwina tops-Alexander and Guccio. in 2012 tops-Alexander was crowned series champion of the Global Champions tour for the second consecutive year. Equestrian Australia (EA) is the governing body for equestrian sport and competition in Australia. The ABOUT organisation was established in 1951 and at this time was formally recognised by the international governing body, the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), for the EQUESTRIAN purpose of Olympic selection to the 1956 Olympic Games. Australia has enjoyed rich success on the international sporting stage since its first appearance at the Olympics, AUSTRALIA earning itself a formidable reputation for producing world class equestrian competitors. While EA has maintained its focus on high performance outcomes, in recent years it has embarked on new projects and implemented numerous strategies that aim to grow other sectors of the sport. In 2010 the organisation developed seven strategic priorities which would become the focus of the organisation for the forthcoming five years. ‘Creating our Future’ provides a clearly articulated direction for equestrian sport within Australia for 2011 and beyond. It aims to create a unity of purpose for all those involved and helps to position equestrian within an increasingly competitive sport and entertainment market. ‘Creating our Future’ builds on the successes of the past and outlines where energy and resources will be targeted into the future. The following seven strategic priorities set clear objectives and direction for EA: 1. Create a national, contemporary approach to membership which is attractive to clubs, spectators, supporters, fans and other equestrian groups 2. Develop a fully integrated national high performance pathway from talent identification through to elite competitor 3 Introduce equestrian as a curriculum option to all Australian schools 4. Package and promote Equestrian Australia’s offering to raise awareness of the sport amongst corporate businesses, primary industry and the general public 5. Stream live feeds of equestrian sporting events and results 6. Propose hybrid versions of the sport to grow the spectator and participant base 7. Develop a nationally synchronised multi-sport annual calendar of events which features an iconic event. While focused on implementing the strategy, equestrian sport will continue to: • Enhance the level of education provided to riders, officials and administrators • Improve the level of resources available to support all members including strengthening the financial foundation of the sport • Develop an integrated national policy and procedures framework • Focus on a national systems and policy teaming with a state coordinated approach to the delivery of equestrian sport within Australia • Communicate with member organisations and stakeholders and represent their best interests within equestrian sport • Create ongoing and increasing international success at Olympics, WEG and international competition. 4 5 Equestrian Australia Chairman REFLECTIONS I would like to acknowledge Paul Biancardi who stood in the role of EA Chairman REPORT dr Warwick Vale from October 2012 to April 2013. Paul’s contribution to the EA Board should not go unrecognised as he was directly involved in many of the achievements our Board has worked on. On behalf of the Board of Equestrian Australia, welcome to our annual report for 2012-2013. We are pleased to report on the work that has been done as we continue to develop and grow our I also would like to thank my fellow Board members for their tireless efforts and organisation, and to assist all of you, our members and stakeholders, to improve equestrian sport commitment to improving our sport. Our goal as a Board was to grow our financial in Australia. capacity, increase our communication with members, work with our States to achieve national outcomes as well bring about reviews for the sport designed to improve our In October 2012 we welcomed five new members to the national Board with the new leadership team determining a standards moving forward. clear focus for EA. While there have been changes to the Board since that time, the vision for the Board has remained A group of people who have made a large contribution to our sport and since stepped in place with the following key priority areas. down from their positions are some of our Australian Equestrian Team selectors. I would like to thank Joanne Fowler, Maria Schwennesen, Virgina Creed, Peter Cooke and Barry Roycroft for their significant input to the sport across many years. Our selectors 1. STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL OUTCOMES The Board are confident that the recommendations form an are volunteers who go above and beyond to assist our teams in preparing for World integral part of the high performance management teams’ focus Coming off the back of a recorded loss in FY11-12, I am pleased and Olympic Games campaigns. It is undoubtedly one of the toughest roles in our and operational methods for the next Olympic cycle and that the to announce that the organisation is back in the green and sport and on behalf of the board I thank them sincerely for their efforts. We welcome teams are focused on achieving the medal outcomes they have reporting a surplus of more than $203,000 for FY12-13. The EA our newly appointed selectors and acknowledge those who are continuing in the role outlined as part of the ASC’s Winning Edge plan. CEO and management team worked closely with the Board to for the forthcoming Olympic/Paralympic cycle. bring about changes to the accounting processes that had been Our national Discipline Committees must also be acknowledged for their hard work in place for many years to ensure more accurate forecasting, 4. MEMBERSHIP to grow their disciplines and to put in place key programs to assist the base of the reporting to the Board and stakeholders, as well as budgeting sport as well as the elite. As volunteers they give up many valuable hours in a bid to was implemented across all areas. After a two year consultation period between the State Branches help improve our sport and meet the needs of our members. and National Discipline Committees, EA unveiled a new national In addition, EA was able to sign-up its largest sponsor in history membership structure in May 2013. On behalf of the Board I also want to acknowledge the great work of the staff at through the Be the Influence: Tackling Binge Drinking partnership. Equestrian Australia led by Grant Baldock. We are in the third year of the strategic This not only delivered income for EA programs such as the The new structure reduces the number of membership plan that was established in 2010 and Grant and his team are to be credited with Equestrian Grand Final, but also allowed for funding to go into categories from more than 45 to 6, offering a more unified and implementing significant and important changes aimed at meeting our strategic goals our National and State Interschools programs as well other simplistic approach to equestrian sport allowing for more people for the sport. I would also like to thank outgoing High Performance Manager Brett major competitions around the country. to be recognised and participate at the grassroots level of the Mace for seven years of service which saw him accompany Australian Equestrian teams sport. It also provides for added recognition for officials, coaches The recorded surplus allowed the Board to implement to two World Equestrian Games and two Olympic/Paralympic Games. and owners. grassroots programs that have been longstanding agenda items including Club Development Grants and club funding support for The new structure came into effect in New South Wales, Victoria, programs like the EA national conference. South Australia and Tasmania on 1 July 2013 and Queensland and CREATING OUR FUTURE Western Australia will follow suit on 1 January 2014. There is still work to be done as we work towards achieving our strategic priorities; Creating our Future 2010-2016 and to bring about the desired growth and 2. DEVELOP EFFECTIVE ICT PLAN FOR THE development of the sport. Significant opportunities exist within the sport and the ORGANISATION THE MILESTONES Board and management team are excited to pursue those opportunities. After a review of the former IT system ‘equnect’ was completed, As you read through this report you’ll notice the positive outcomes The next 12 months will see our elite riders and high performance team firmly the Board along with the State Branches chose to move to that have been achieved in the sport in the last 12 months. Some of focused on the 2014 World Equestrian Games. As Australia prepares to field a team an interim IT solution for the sport as part of the 2013-2014 the highlights include: across all eight disciplines, our management team and selectors will be working with renewals. Working with current equestrian provider Nominate • Australia’s Joann Formosa winning gold at the London 2012 the riders and owners to finalise individual preparations ahead of team selection and to customise existing technology to create EA Online, a Paralympic Games the competition. temporary solution resolved many of the customer and user issues experienced during the previous membership cycle. • Australian officials Gill Rolton and Mary Seefried were selected The Board has confidence in the management team’s plans they have identified to to officiate at the London 2012 Olympic Games.